CM Kan Nakahara with perfect 10/10 at 1st Kansai Blitz Masters in Kyoto!

On 12 July, 30 players representing nine different federations came together in Kyoto for a full day of exciting FIDE-rated blitz chess. Under clear blue skies and summer sunshine, participants gathered at kokoka Kyoto International Community House, a venue that proved to be every bit as enjoyable as the tournament itself.

From its spacious, hotel-like lobby to its welcoming café, kokoka offered the perfect setting for players, parents and visitors to relax between rounds, analyse games and catch up with friends. Step outside, and you're surrounded by Kyoto's timeless charm—tree-lined streets, temples, shrines and traditional houses that make the city one of the world's most memorable destinations. Whether competing or simply accompanying a player, everyone could enjoy a taste of what makes Kyoto so special.

Hosting our very first FIDE-rated blitz tournament was an exciting milestone for Caissa Osaka Chess Club. While every tournament requires careful preparation—from chess sets and clocks to pairing software—blitz chess brings its own unique challenges. With games decided in just a few minutes, arbiters must be ready to respond quickly to claims, irregularities and time-pressure situations.

Fortunately, the event was in excellent hands. Thanks to the calm and professional leadership of Chief Arbiter FA Mayur Gondhalekar, supported by Deputy Chief Arbiter Leonard Brinkmann, the tournament ran smoothly from the opening round to the final game. Their experience ensured that players could focus on what mattered most: enjoying fast, competitive chess.

Atmospheric places around the venue.

The tournament featured five double rounds, giving every participant 10 FIDE-rated blitz games. To keep the schedule comfortable, we played the first three double rounds before the lunch break and finished the remaining two in the afternoon.

Blitz chess is famous for its unpredictability. A single moment of hesitation can completely change the outcome of a game, and even the strongest players are never entirely safe from an upset. That's one of the reasons we chose the double-round format. Every pairing is played twice—once with each colour—giving players an immediate opportunity to settle the score and ensuring perfect colour balance throughout the tournament.

Players getting ready for the next round!

Personally, I (Leonard) had originally planned to play in the event myself. Ever since we began planning the Kansai Blitz Masters, I had been looking forward to helping bring a dedicated FIDE-rated blitz tournament to Japan. One of Caissa Osaka Chess Club's goals is to offer players more opportunities to compete in a variety of time controls, and this tournament was an important step in that direction.

However, as registrations continued to pour in, it became clear that I would have to put my own ambitions aside. Once we passed the 20-player mark—and eventually reached a full field of 30—it was obvious that one arbiter would not be enough to ensure the smooth running of the event. Instead of taking a seat at the board, I joined the arbiting team alongside Chief Arbiter FA Mayur Gondhalekar. Looking back, it was absolutely the right decision, allowing the tournament to run efficiently while giving every player the attention they deserved.

Having fun should be the most important. But even better, if you could crown your experience with a cool trophy. This time trophies were awarded to the best six players.

Strong participation from Minamoto Chess Club.

So, what did the final standings look like?

While the battle for the remaining podium places stayed open until the final rounds, there was never much doubt about the tournament winner. Kan Nakahara delivered a flawless performance, scoring a perfect 10/10 to claim the title in dominant fashion.

The biggest surprise of the day came from Elizabeth. Entering the tournament as only the eighth seed, she exceeded all expectations with an outstanding 8/10, securing a well-deserved second place.

Jiang completed the podium with 7½/10. Apart from his two encounters with Kan, he had an excellent tournament, dropping points only against the eventual champion.

The fight for the remaining top places was incredibly close. Kim, Baze, and Makagiansar all finished on 7 points, with the final order determined only by the tiebreak system. That left Kim in fourth place, followed by Baze in fifth and Makagiansar in sixth.

Congratulations to all of our prize winners! In a tournament where every game lasts only a few minutes, maintaining concentration, making good decisions under constant time pressure, and performing consistently over ten rounds is no small achievement.

A nice group photo after price giving.

Kyoto has once again shown why it is one of our favourite places to organise chess events. From the venue to the city's unforgettable surroundings, it provided the perfect setting for a fantastic day of blitz chess. We can't wait to be back.

The action continues on 8 August with the Caissa Pre-Classic. Already 44 players have registered, and the remaining places are disappearing fast. If you'd like to be part of the next tournament, be sure to secure your spot before it's too late!